Altruism is the theme of the St. Peter’s Alternative Gift Fair

FALLBROOK – The annual Alternative Gift Fair took place Sunday, Nov. 19 in the parish hall of St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Fallbrook.

The event, which has been held for more than 10 years, encourages people to donate to charitable organizations in lieu of giving Christmas gifts. Gift cards were available to let a recipient know that a donation to a favorite charity had been made in their name.

In addition, organizations had items for purchase, including handmade dolls, blankets and clothing from the Fallbrook Blanket Project, artisan pieces from Africa sold by Unforgotten Faces, bean soup mix to benefit the Fallbrook Food Pantry, and additional gift items from the various groups at the event.

The fair was open to St. Peter’s parishioners as well as the general public. Special features included free food samples, coffee and refreshments, and a free gift to all who attended.

This year’s organizations included Lango Baya Mission Project, Get on the Bus, Fallbrook Blanket Project, The Well Path, Project Safe House, Boy Scout Troop 731, Unforgotten Faces, Fallbrook Pregnancy Resource Center, Catholic Relief Services, Knights of Columbus, The Rainbow Prison Ministry, Heifer International and Fallbrook Food Pantry.

Each organization had a table or booth where guests could learn about charitable causes, volunteer opportunities or donate money or purchase items to benefit the organization of their choice.

The gift fair takes place the Sunday before Thanksgiving annually and carries the theme “Helping Others” every year. Visitors came to donate to favorite organizations and to learn more about how the groups in attendance are working to help others around the world and in the community.

To learn more about the Alternative Gift Fair, contact Kara La Russa at (760) 688-6075. Volunteer hours are available for high school students who would like to volunteer next year.